Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds Picks and Predictions October 1st 2025

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds October 1st 2025

The Cincinnati Reds will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. This game is set for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 9:08 PM. Fans can catch the action on ESPN.

The Reds finished the regular season with a record of 83-79. Zack Littell will start for them, bringing an ERA of 3.81. The Dodgers ended their season with a 93-69 record. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch for them, holding an ERA of 2.49. Weather forecasts predict a warm day with a clear sky and a light breeze.

Reds vs Dodgers Key Information

The Reds Can Win If…

The Cincinnati Reds recently faced the Milwaukee Brewers on September 28th, where they fell short with a 4-2 loss. Despite the loss, the Reds showed power at the plate with two home runs from TJ Friedl and Elly De La Cruz. Brady Singer pitched 3 1/3 innings, striking out five batters, which shows his potential to keep opponents’ bats quiet.

The Reds have been strong offensively throughout the season, ranking 10th in batting average at .245. They also have a solid on-base percentage of .314, placing them 11th in the league. With 167 home runs this season, the Reds have the ability to score runs quickly, making them a threat in any game.

Key players like Elly De La Cruz, who leads the team with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs, can make a significant impact. Zack Littell will start for the Reds with a 3.81 ERA, aiming to control the Dodgers’ lineup. With a recent win against the Brewers and strong individual performances, the Reds have the tools to win this game.

The Dodgers Can Win If…

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a strong win against the Seattle Mariners, 6-1. Clayton Kershaw led the way with 5 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out seven. Shohei Ohtani was a standout at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, and an RBI.

The Dodgers have been on a roll, winning their last five games. They rank second in slugging percentage and home runs this season. This power at the plate gives them a solid chance to score runs against any pitcher.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start for the Dodgers with a 2.49 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. These numbers show he can limit opponents’ scoring opportunities. With the Dodgers’ strong hitting lineup and Yamamoto’s pitching, they have a good chance to win against the Cincinnati Reds.

The Lean

The Dodgers are the favorites with a moneyline of -250. The Reds are at +202. The Dodgers have a strong hitting lineup, ranking 2nd in slugging percentage and home runs. This gives them an edge. My model projects the Dodgers to win with a score of 5-3. I recommend picking the Dodgers to win straight up.

The total for the game is set at 7.5 runs. The Dodgers’ powerful offense and the Reds’ decent hitting suggest a higher scoring game. My model projects a total of 8 runs. I recommend taking the over on the 7.5 total.

Game Context And Series Outlook

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter Game 2 of their National League Wild Card series against the Cincinnati Reds with a chance to advance to the divisional round after a 10-5 win in Game 1. Tuesday night showcased both their offensive firepower and their persistent bullpen issues, leaving mixed signals heading into this pivotal matchup at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers’ September surge at the plate carried into the postseason opener, as Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández each blasted two home runs to fuel a five-homer night, tying the franchise postseason record. However, their bullpen nearly turned a blowout into a scare, giving up five late runs and needing 59 pitches to get through the eighth inning.

For full team performance data and playoff history, see MLB Teams.

Dodgers’ Bullpen Concerns And Yamamoto’s Start

The Dodgers’ relief unit finished the regular season ranked 11th in the National League with a 4.27 ERA, and their Game 1 performance was a clear continuation of those struggles. Walks and inefficiency plagued the eighth inning as three relievers combined to allow three runs and issue four free passes, including two with the bases loaded.

Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the issue, noting that the bullpen got “too fine” with a lead, allowing Cincinnati to build innings. This unit will be under the microscope again tonight.

To stabilize the game, the Dodgers turn to their ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The right-hander was stellar in the regular season (12-8, 2.49 ERA) and has playoff experience from last year, where he went 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA in four starts. He nearly threw a no-hitter against Baltimore on September 6 and dominated the Reds in July, giving up just one run over seven innings while striking out nine.

For more matchup analysis and starting pitching breakdowns, visit MLB Picks.

Reds’ Road Challenge

The Reds showed resilience in Game 1 by clawing back from an 8-0 deficit to make the Dodgers sweat late. Manager Terry Francona praised his team’s fight, and that mentality will be crucial in Game 2 as Cincinnati tries to extend the series.

They’ll send Zack Littell to the mound, who went 10-8 with a 3.81 ERA this season across stints with Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. Since joining the Reds, he’s posted a 2-0 record with a 4.39 ERA in 10 starts. Littell has never started against Los Angeles but has faced them 14 times in relief, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA. He was particularly effective in 2021 with the Giants, holding the Dodgers to a 1.54 ERA over 11 appearances before struggling in two postseason outings that year.

Cincinnati’s offense found life late in Game 1 but must strike earlier against Yamamoto. Building traffic on the bases is key, especially if they can exploit the Dodgers’ bullpen again in the later innings. For current odds and live line movement, check MLB Scores and Odds.

Key Matchups To Watch

The most decisive battle will be Yamamoto versus Cincinnati’s aggressive lineup. If Yamamoto controls the strike zone early, he can neutralize the Reds’ rally potential. Conversely, if the Reds can drive up his pitch count, they may expose the Dodgers’ shaky middle relief again.

On the other side, Littell’s ability to keep the ball in the park is critical. Los Angeles punished mistakes in Game 1 with five home runs, and their power surge looks sustainable. Containing Ohtani, Hernández, and the middle of the Dodgers’ order will determine how long Cincinnati can keep this game close.

Betting Trends

Los Angeles has been dominant at home, winning eight of their last ten games at Dodger Stadium, including five straight postseason home matchups. Their offense has scored five or more runs in six consecutive games, and the over has hit in four of their last five playoff contests.

Cincinnati has struggled historically at Dodger Stadium, dropping seven of their last nine postseason games against the Dodgers. However, they’ve been competitive against right-handed pitching recently, and their offense has scored at least five runs in three of their last four games overall.

The matchup trends favor high scoring. Four of the last six Dodgers–Reds meetings have gone over the total, largely due to late-inning bullpen volatility and home run production.

For further wagering angles and strategy, check the MLB Expert Betting Guide (concepts apply across leagues).

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Final Prediction

The Dodgers have the offensive firepower and the starting pitching edge with Yamamoto on the mound, but their bullpen remains a liability that can keep the Reds in the game late. Littell is capable of keeping it competitive early, but if Los Angeles jumps ahead, Cincinnati will need another comeback surge.

Predicted Score: Dodgers 7 – Reds 4

Los Angeles advances with a second straight win at home. The play leans Dodgers on the moneyline and over on the total, given both lineups’ power potential and bullpen volatility.

For more postseason previews and betting insights, visit MLB Picks.